JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville city council member is addressing concerns about a holiday event Jaguars owner Shad Khan hosted this week on his yacht.
Khan invited the mayor and council members to attend the event on Monday night, but one council member told News4JAX Khan was not there.
Councilman Rahman Johnson, who attended the event, released a lengthy statement about it Wednesday night after questions were raised over the ethics of local politicians attending and whether it broke Sunshine Laws.
Grateful for Shad Khan and the Jags biz commitment to Jacksonville—from hosting a simple holiday gathering to investing millions in our community. Let’s focus on tackling major issues like healthy food access & building a brighter future for Duval. #DuvalForward #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/CM7sy7gt5g
— Rahman Johnson, Ph.D. (@rahmanj) December 5, 2024
Johnson called the event “an elegant, understated affair, reflecting the season’s spirit of gratitude and community.”
Because Khan has had business heard and discussed before the city council, including the recently approved “Stadium of the Future” deal and his new Four Seasons hotel, some questioned the ethics of the private event including local political leaders.
In his statement, Johnson acknowledged the criticisms but said, “I believe our focus should remain on the critical issues facing our city, such as improving access to healthy food options.”
Johnson cited statistics about access to healthy food versus fast food options in the city and credited the Jaguars with their local charitable efforts.
“... the Jaguars organization under Shad’s leadership exemplifies committed corporate citizenship,” Johnson said. “My focus remains on partnering with leaders like Shad, Jags CEO Mark Lamping and so many others, to address the pressing challenges facing Jacksonville and to move ‘Duval Forward’ in every way possible.”
Councilman Matt Carlucci confirmed that he and his wife also went to the event on Khan’s yacht.
He said he, the mayor and council members got the invitation via text from Paul Harden, a high-profile lobbyist.
Carlucci said the mayor and about eight or nine other council members went and that he did not think anything unethical happened.
“I don’t think there was anything that could have developed into a Sunshine Law violation or anything illegal,” Carlucci said.
He said if he felt there was anything in question about the event, he would not have gone. He said he follows the longtime motto: “When in doubt, walk out.”
Carlucci said he understands why there is curiosity around the event and why people who live in the city might have questions, but he was adamant that there was nothing improper.
“I know the optics might not have been so great. I can understand why the average citizen might have questions,” Carlucci said.
Carlucci told News4JAX that this is one of the few times he’s taken advantage of opportunities like Monday’s event.
In 2020, Khan privately briefed some city council members on his yacht on the proposed $200 million Lot J deal that ultimately failed by a single vote the following year.